Propped ladder.



0. JACKSON.

PHOPPED LADDER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I2. Isn.

Patented Nov. 12, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEEI 2.

'NITD STATES PATENT FFTC.

OSCAR JACKSON, OF DANVILLE, ILLINOIS.

PBOPPED LADDER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OSCAR JACKSON, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Danville, in the county of Vermilion and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in'Propped Ladders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to ladders and has more particular reference to an improved collapsible ladder.

The invention has for its principal object to provide a ladder so constructed as to permit the folding of the same into compact form, thus, facilitating the carrying of the same and allowing the setting up thereof in operative position with but little effort; producing a ladder capable of withstanding severe strain and weight.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide novel means for joining the stiles and rungs of the ladder construction in a manner such as will prevent relative movement of the same in a way to allow collapsing or sagging or weakening of the said ladder construction.

Another important characteristic of the invention resides in the novel mounting of the various ladder rungs so that the same may be swung into folded positions upon l the collapsing of the ladder and also, that f ple, the cost of production small,

the same will properly adjust themselves with relation to the ladder stiles when in operative positions to render the same firm and solid.

Among other aims and objects of the 'invention may be recited, the provision of a ladder of the character mentioned with a view to compactness, and in which the numthereon set forth the preferred embodiments of the invention. f

In these drawings:

Figure l is a perspective of my improved ladder;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail in elevation showing the mounting of one of the foldable rungs or steps thereof and the engagement Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 12, 1918.

Application led February 12, 1917. Serial N o. 148,067.

of the top bracing elements with certain of the Stiles; i

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through a portion of the ladder;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section through the stiles thereof showing the arrangement of the rungs upon the same and the method of bracing the said rungs;

Fig. 5 is a detail infperspective of one of the ladder steps;

Fig. 6 is a detail in perspective of the manner of securing certain of the stile bracing elements to the channeled rung receiving members arranged thereon; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail in elevation of a slightly modified form of mounting for the ladder rungs.

Having more particular reference to the drawings wherein like reference fcharacters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views thereof, the improved ladder construction may be stated to in"clude pairs of spaced apart parallel arranged stile members l and 2, the inner or adjacent faces of which have secured thereto by rivets or other like fastening devices, channeled members 3 and 4, it being noted that the said channeled members extend throughout the entire length of the stiles l and 2 and have vthe ends thereof so formed as to lie flush with the respective ends of the said stiles.

Prop elements 5 are hingedly secured to the upper ends of each of the stiles l and 2 by hinges 6 and have pivotally engaged with the same intermediate their ends sectional arms 7, the remaining extremities of the arms extending into pivotal engagement with the adjacent `stiles l and 2 as at 8 and having their adjoining ends similarly connected to permit folding or collapsing thereof when it is desired to move the props 5 to positions in proximity of their respective stile members. To maintain the sections of the arms 7 in horizontally alined positions when the props 5 are swung into operative positions, hooks 9 are formed upon certain of the. ends of the said sections and are adapted to engage with portions of the adjoining sections as shown in F ig.' 1. By so connecting and bracing the sectional arms 7, it will be appreciated that the collapsing of the props 5 will be prevented when they are once moved into operative or set up positions. A longitudinally disposed bracing arm 10 is pivotally engaged with a suitable apertured lug as carried upon one of the props 5 as at 11 and has its remaining or free extremity notched whereby the same may be swung into engagement with a. corresponding notch as formed in that section or arm 7 as opposite the mounting of the same. Hence, undue relative movement of the propping element 5, whereby to permit sagging or possible collapsing of the ladder construction will be eliminated.

A plurality of rungs or steps generally indicated by the numeral 12 is provided and have their opposite extremities reduced as at 13 and 13, the said reduced extremities being adapted to be received within the channeled members 3 and 4: as aflixed to the inner or adjacent :taces of the stiles 1 and 2. To the under side or faces ot each ot the rungs 12, metal straps 1i are secured through the medium of rivets 15 or other like fastening devices, the said straps being ot a length slightly greater than their respective rungs to permit the rolling of certain ot the ends thereof upon themselves to provide eyes 16 and further to permit the forming of right-singularly disposed curved lip port-ions 17 upon the remaining` ends thereof. A plurality of pivot bolts 18 are passed transversely of the channeled meinbers 3, suitable openings being formed in the ,sides of the said channel members, some of which are elongated to provide slots 19, which by their length will allow slight movement of the said pivot bolts therein. The pivot bolts 1S are passed through the eyes 16 formed upon certain Ot the ends of the metal straps 1a and are secured in position with respect to their respective channel member by suitable fastening devices. Other bolts 2O are passed through the side portions of the channeled member 3 as arranged upon the opposite stile 2 at points in exact horizontal alinement with the arrangement ot the pivot bolts 1S in the channel member il. is will be noted, the bolts 20 are so arranged with relation to the rear or base wall of the channeled member 3 as to be in spaced relation therefrom and as a consequence, will permit the passage of the curved lip portions therebetween, that is, those lip portions 17 formed upon the remaining' extremities of the metal straps 14k atlixed to the various ladder rungs 12. Bue to the slight inherent resiliency of the lips 17, the same will, by reason of the curved portions therein loe caused to snap over the various bolts 2O when their respective rungs 12 are swung into operative or set up position, thus, preventing accidental removal of the same. l/Vith the engaging of the lip portion 17 with the bolts 20, the various runs 12 will be permitted to move slightly, yet sufficiently to allow those portions of the metal straps 14 directly over the bolts 20 to firmly seat thereon. The lip portions 17, will also by reason of the adjusting movement of the rungs 12 be caused to fully engage their respective bolts 20, since those portions of the rungs arranged thereover will rest directly upon the said bolts.

To prevent relative movement of the stiles 1 and 2 when the. ladder is set up, bracing bars 21 are pivotally engaged with the rear marginal et ges ot the channeled members as at 22 and are extended diagonally into engagement with the lower extremities of the opposite channeled members, whereat, the opposite ends thereof are passed over suitable screw threaded studs 23 carried upon the adjacent side portions of the channeled members 3 and 1, the said studs having suitable locking` nuts turned into engagement with the threaded portions thereof, thereby securely positioning the remaining extremities of the brace liars 21 and eiiiciently bracing the stiles 1 and 2 in their spaced apart positions.

As a means tor further bracing the stiles 1 and 2, a top member 24e is l'iingedly sccurcd to the upper extremity oit the stile 2 through the medium oi' an ordinary hinge 25 pivotally secured to the said stile 2 at 2G while upon the remaining' er free extremity ot the same a depending flange 27 is secured, the flange being adapted to snugly engage the outer face of the stile 1 when the top member is swung into horizontal or operative position. When the top member 24e is in inoperative position, the same will be permitted to lie adjacent the outer tace of the stile 2 by means of its hinged connection therewith. To permit carrying of the ladder construction when the same is in folded position, a handle 28 may be and preferably is secured to one of the Stiles, thus enabling the user to readily grasp the collapsed or folded construction.

To collapse my improved ladder, the various rungs 12 are swung upwardly upon the pivot bolts 18 to cause disengagement of the lip portions 17 with the various bolts 20 as arranged upon the stiles 2 and the diagonally disposed brace bars 21 are disengaged from the several screw threaded studs 23 by removing the locking nut therefrom. The top member is now swung out of engagement with. the stile 1 into a position adjacent the outer face of the stile 3 and the prop members 5 are Jfolded into their inoperative positions by breaking the jointure oi the sectional arms 7 and disengaging the longitudinal arm 10 from the notched portions formed in certain of the said sectional 7. lilith the various parts thus disassembled, they may be readily placed in compactform and a suitable binder or tie placed thereabout to permit the construction to be readily carried by means of the handle member 28.

lt is ot course to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific mounting of the rungs 12 of the ladder construction upon the several stiles thereof but may be varied Within the spirit of the invention such as conditions or preference may dictate. To this end, I have shown in Fig. 7 a slightly modified form of mounting of the ladder rungs 12, wherein instead of providing a plurality of continuous channeled members 3 and 4 as shown in the preferred embodiment of the invention, substantially U-shaped brackets or studs 29 are secured to the iimer or adjacent faces of the said stiles 2 at spaced apart intervals throughout the length thereof. Suitable openings are formed in the sides of the brackets to permit the insertion of pivot bolts and stop bolts therethrough, those brackets receiving the pivot bolts 18 being provided With slots in certain of the sides thereof to permit slight movement of the same for an obvious purpose.

I also desire to have it understood, that my novel form of rung mounting may be fully as well used in conjunction With various types of ladders other than that particular type herein shown and that the same may not only be used in conjunction with the Collapsible type of ladder but also in conjunction with the rigid type of ladder.

As hereinbefore indicated, I do not Wish to be understood as confining the invention to the particular embodiments chosen for illustration herein nor to the exact construction, arrangement and adaptation of the parts shown and described, but I reserve the right to make any changes and alterations that fairly fall Within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A propped ladder including channeled side members, spaced steps pivoted to one of said side members and having their free endS reduced and received by the remaining side member, spaced stops on said remaining side member for supporting the free ends of the steps, and bracing bars pivoted to portions of the side members and having the free end thereof adapted for engagement With the opposite side members.

2. A propped ladder including channeled side members, spaced steps loosely pivoted to one of said side members and having their free ends reduced and provided With angularly disposed engaging means, spaced stops on the remaining side member for receiving and supporting the free ends of said steps, bracing bars pivoted to portions of said side members and having their free ends adapted for detachable engagement with the opposite side members, and a prop bracing member hinged to one end of one side member having its free end hooked and adapted for engagement with the adjacent end of the remaining side member.

In testimony whereof, I aliix my signature hereto.

OSCAR JACKSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

